Qatar foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said his country carried out its duties to the fullest in searching for downed Iranian pilots. (Photo: X/ @majedalansari)Qatar categorically denied on Saturday it was detaining any Iranian pilots after an Iranian general said Doha should release three aviators shot down early in the Iran war.“We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots & are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts & initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on X.Story continues below this adQatar rescuers “carried out their duties to the fullest” searching for the pilots, he added.It had “communicated with the Iranian side to coordinate the handover of the remains of one of the pilots who was found,” said Al-Ansari.“Qatar also issued an invitation for an Iranian team to visit Qatar to be briefed on the details of the search & rescue operations in April, but the Iranian side has yet to respond to the invitation,” he added.General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of the Iranian armed forces claimed earlier that three Iranian pilots were captured alive by Qatari forces after their Su-24 fighter jets crashed during the war, Fars news agency reported.Follow The Indian Express Global Desk for live coverage of the day’s top world news.Live UpdatesAug 16, 2026 04:54 AM ISTQatar’s foreign ministry denies detention of Iranian pilotsA spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry has denied claims that it detained three Iranian pilots, after Tehran called for their release.“We are surprised by the misleading statements regarding the Iranian pilots amid the continuation of diplomatic efforts,” the spokesperson said.Earlier, the Iranian armed forces said that three pilots had been captured by Qatar after their SU-24 jets had crashed during the early days of the US-Israeli war on Iran, adding that they had been held for six months.We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots & are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time, amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts & initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.We reaffirm that…— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) August 15, 2026Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd